Stepping it up

Today is the last day of March, which means that it's the end of the first quarter of 2010. Today, I evaluated my first three months of the year and wrote new goals for the next three months. I have been consist ant in a lot of areas and not so much in others. It's time to step it up! I am so excited about what I am creating and learning about myself and others and what the rest of this year will bring. this is the year! I have been saying it....and I believe it more now than ever. and, every year after this one, will be the year as well! this is the time to take a look, re-evaluate, make adjustments and step it up!

A privilege to give

About two weeks ago, I got in touch with the right person at the Diabetes Foundation after weeks of calling. I wanted information on what I had to do to run in the NY Marathon for them. My mom passed away due to complications from diabetes, so this is a cause that is important to me and a big reason why I do the work that I do. So, I figured I would just tell them I wanted to run for them, they would thank me and tell me how much I had to raise. They told me how much I had to raise, took down my information and said they would get back to me to let me know if I am chosen to run on their behalf. She said that they had a waiting list of people wanting to run for them. Well, my ego did not like this initially. "chosen?...to run 26.2 miles and raise $2,500 for your foundation?" I quickly put my ego in it's place. That's right, chosen! first of all, how amazing is that...there is a line of people waiting for the privilege to give their time and energy for a cause. It truly is a privilege and I think it took being put on a waiting list for me to really get that. It just seems kind of funny. I would be really disappointed if I was not chosen....to stretch myself in pretty much every way imaginable to raise more money than I ever have before and run twice as long as I ever have. I am awaiting this call more than any other right now. What an opportunity to give a little something back to my mom and so many others who suffer from this disease and to show my gratitude for being blessed with good health

Grateful

Today we had a cleaning service come in to clean for the first time ever. A woman in her 50's shows up, in the rain, after traveling for over an hour with a big bag of cleaning supplies with a big smile on her face, ready to get to work. She was here for five hours an our apartment has never smelled or looked better. I asked her if she liked her job and she said she loves it. I ask her what she loves about it and she said "I love that I have it" Now, I know what I paid her boss and she traveled over two hours total and worked for five hours, so her hourly wage was....let's just say, not much. And, she was singing the whole time while she worked. I paid to have our apartment cleaned and also got a lesson in gratitude. This was another reminder to enjoy what I'm doing and where I am while at the same time always improving and moving forward.

Running for the big guy

Today, I ran a 15K in Central Park with family and friends in memory of my Uncle John who past away from colon cancer last year. It was really an amazing experience. Seeing all those people who loved him and all the people who came to support those of us who loved him. there were actually times during the run today that I was starting to feel worn out a bit and I looked at his picture on my shirt and got an extra burst of energy remembering that I was running for him. He was always an incredible support to me and an inspiration and that has not changed. Big John would be proud to see how much of an impact he has made on so many and how loved he is. this was a day that I will always remember and he will always be with me.

Putting it out there

I have learned another valuable lesson from the blog I wrote yesterday. I wrote about the "challenges" I have been having from training for a run. I have already received several responses from friends with suggestions about what I can do to prevent some of these challenges. Often, I don't share because I feel like I'm complaining...hum....sharing vs complaining? Maybe a future topic. Anyway, the lesson for me is that I won't receive support if I don't share what is going on. and, of course sharing about diaper rash is sometimes easier than some other issues we encounter daily. thank you to everyone who has respond with your support and thank you also for another lesson learned. When I just put it out there, I never know what I may get back.

The things we do for like

OK, I'm going to be a bit revealing here...bare with me. It's late and I went to a comedy show last night and I think that is inspiring me to see the humor in this situation. I have been training for a run that I am doing with Marie and some of my family on Sunday. I have trained for a run before, but for some reason I am having some challenges this time around that I didn't encounter last time. First of all, which I guess is normal, I am getting blisters on the bottom of my feet..which is kinda gross and pretty painful. OK, I know stop being a baby. So, speaking of babies, I have diaper rash. No, I don't wear diapers and as far as I can tell, I have diaper rash! I don't think you want me to go into a detailed description, so you're going to have to trust me on this one. I saved the best for last. I have itchy, sensitive nipples. Yes, that's right. I thought maybe I had a rare case of premature, male menopause. Then, Marie tells me that she saw nipple protectors in the runner's store. I have sensitive nipples, bubbles on my feet and diaper rash!....back off, ladies...I'm taken! And, when I think about it, I don't even love running. I like it, at best. And, I'm planning on running a marathon. why?....What I'm thinking is that the more we push ourselves out our comfort zone, beyond our "limits", the more our human spirit that was hidden way down deep screams "give me more...this is living!" So, I'm going to keep giving my spirit more because so far the returns have been amazing!...even if it means I have to get baby powder and nipple protectors!

“Making a Change for Good”

I wanted to share an excerpt form the book “Making a Change for Good” by Cheri Huber. we read this to our Transtions class to support them in creating a new, healthy perspective with food.

Eating is often a source of great suffering. What and how much to eat are questions we face every day. If we are conscious, there is no problem. At a retreat, a woman said, “ I’ve noticed that I can generally maintain my commitment to lose a few extra pounds as long as I maintain conscious awareness while eating.” This is a huge piece of the puzzle.

“Going unconscious” is the reaction to specific triggers. Rising energy that gets labeled “tension” is one of those triggers. A series of connections begins that takes the unaware person down a path of bad decisions. For instance, I am conditioned to ignore early warning sides of hunger. I’m busy, I’m involved in something important, and I avoid signals of growling stomach and dropping blood sugar. I can never remember to bring a snack or to avoid coffee and sugar when I won’t be able to eat for several hours. Soon I am miserable. Inside I’m hysterical. I can’t focus or concentrate, and I hate everyone around me. When I finally get to food, I stuff myself with the quickest, easiest items I can get my hands on. I pack in way more empty calories than I need before my brain gets information about how much I’ve ingested. Alas, fast food is designed for the person in my condition. Snack foods are made for people in blood sugar crisis. So, we want to bring conscious, compassionate awareness to the issue of food. Who would I be if I had a kind, compassionate relationship with food. What would happen to self hatred if I ate what was good for me and was healthy and felt good about myself. There would be no drama! There would be no suffering.

Does this mean you will never again get to eat a piece of cake or candy? No, of course not. It means you will eat it when it is good for you to eat it, not when it’s an unconscious decision from self-hate. Let’s say I commit to eating a limited amount of sugar once per day. I know sugar isn’t good for me, and I don’t feel well, I weigh more than is comfortable, and I feel totally out of control with the issue. Because I’m used to eating a lot of sugar every day, the stress is going to build. Voices start angling for their sugar. Conditioning starts distracting, making cases, making deals. The Judge starts expressing an opinion about who and how I am for having an issue with sugar in the first place. I watch it all. I breathe and observe and write down everything that goes on. I am practicing choosing compassion over self-hatred. I am addressing the issue. I’m cutting back on sugar. I’m taking responsibility for my health and well-being, and I’m doing it from the place that is most compassionate to all. Compassion for the sugar addict, compassion, for the habit, compassion for the body, compassion for the opinions, compassion for the person who wants to be free of the addiction.

leggo my ego

Making up sometimes seems to be a lot harder than it should be. Is it just me? I sometimes look back at an argument I had after things are resolved and I think to myself, why was that so difficult? Does anyone have an idea why something that should be so simple is sometimes so difficult? I will give you a clue...It starts with "E" and it ends with "GO". Our old foe, the ego. And, the more ''right" and "justified" I think I am, the stronger my ego gets. It's actually pretty crazy when I think about it. I mean, sometimes I say to myself "Just clear it, apologize, let it go, you don't need to argue your point" and just when that's starting to settle in and feel right, it's like my ego grabs me by the collar and says "Have you lost your %*@#ing mind, man?!.....you're going to what.....clear what?....apologize for what?....you don't have to argue your point?....are you nuts?" And then when I follow the ego's advice and end up miserable, he says...."you're on your own pal....this isn't my area of expertise". A friend once said to me that we have a choice to be right or be happy and our ego wants to be right. I choose to be happy.

At war

I went to church this Sunday and they talked about being at war with people that we are supposed to be "at war" for. Fighting with the very same people we should be fighting for. He didn't get into this, but what I concluded as I thought about it later is that we, or I anyway am fighting the people I should be fighting for because I am fighting myself, rather than fighting for myself half the time. So, before I can make any changes on the outside, I realize that I need to stop doing that.

What's it worth?

I was listening to an audio this morning of a man who is has reached goals similar to what I am striving to attain. This is a man that I have looked at in the past and thought to myself and sometimes out load that he had attributes and past experiences that I don't have. I have known that I could attain those goals, and at the same time I felt it would take more of an effort because it must have come naturally to him. He is a natural salesman, public speaker, businessman, motivator, etc. that's what I told myself. On the audio, he tells a much different story than the one I made up. He said that he spent 6 to 8 hours every day practicing his business presentation for six months before he ever even presented it to someone. He would practice it in the mirror, record it on a tape, listen to the tape and take notes and critique it at least three times a day. He would let other people listen to it and get their feedback. He would listen to at least four hours of audios a day. He would go to trainings four times a week or more. And then, after six months....he really went to work. After three years he had created a dream lifestyle and never had to work again. So, the lesson I got...it's not about who I am, where i came from, what I know....It's what I'm willing to do and who I'm willing to become to be and have what I want.

Our deepest fear

I was reminded of this quote today, so I thought I would put it in my blog. I'm sure most of you know it. It's something worth repeating and hearing again.....

It is our light not our darkness that most frightens us. Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, Our presence automatically liberates others. —Marianne Williamson

D is for.....

A friend posted an article today about the epidemic of vitamin D deficiency. http://www.naturalnews.com/028357_vitamin_D_deficiency.html
Being that health and supplementation is a big part of our business, I was well aware of this. the issue is that the only "natural" way to get sufficient vitamin D is form the sun. the problem is that people don't spend as much time outdoors as they once did, partially because there is just too much to do indoors these days. And, when we do go outdoors, we slather ourselves up with SPF 8,000 sunscreen. the only real, safe way to get sufficient vitamin D is through supplementation. this is what we use and it is the highest quality supplement with the most effective delivery system available. http://www.marketamerica.com/shopndream/index.cfm?action=shopping.wpGoShopProducts&skuID=13071
Reading the article, I was also relating it to other situations in my life. We all have situations in our lives where we feel like we have a choice between two options we don't want...."between a rock and a hard place" I find that sometimes if I step away form my "only" two choices, I have a better chance of finding a third.

Expose yourself

A friend of mine has been writing revealing things about herself on her Facebook posts for the past few days. She is entitling it "exposing myself". She just writes whatever she is feeling in the moment. As if she has Turrets Syndrome, but she doesn't. She is making a statement that she is who she is. It's like she is saying, "I'm weeding out the phony friends....if you don't love me for ALL that I am, than I don't know what to tell ya". I am inspired! It makes me think of the saying "Nobody is perfect". I used to think that was a great saying. Now, I realize that the opposite is true...EVERYBODY IS PERFECT! I mean, who determines what perfect is anyway? I personally spent a good part of my life not attempting much of anything because I didn't think I could do it perfectly.....that's insanity! What would it be like if we all just said what was on our minds all the time...really? I think about it. I think after a while we would all be truly free because we would realize that compared to what everyone else was saying, we would seem pretty "normal". The only reason I don't do that now is because I have placed a judgement on certain thoughts I have , so I assume others will too. And, trust me on this one...NOBODY says everything that's on their mind. We all hold back at times. And, that's not what I'm even suggesting. I was just inspired and refreshed by someone speaking freely, knowing that it may be judged by some....that's what leaders do.

The hero's assistant

Yesterday, I was at my sister's house and all of the sudden she says "I smell fire". Her and my brother go out in the back yard and see the house diagonally behind her house is on fire! My brother, being a volunteer hero "fireman", without hesitation jumps onto a table and leaps over the fence and runs towards the house. I, with slight hesitation....follow him. When we got there, we saw a large patch of grass next to the house and the left back side of the house was on fire. My brother was amazing! By the time I got there, he was in charge. He was banging on the door, yelling"Is anyone home?". All I could do is follow his lead. I ran to the front to do the same. By the time I returned to the back yard, he had taken the hose from the neighbors yard and was on it! He yelled to me...."there's a kink in the hose, get it out"...so, I did. He told me to get him a shovel, so he could take off the shingles... so, I did. By the time the fire department got there, the fire was out. They said that 5 more minutes and the fire would have engulfed the house. It was pretty amazing. I imagine my brother has run through the procedure of handling a house fire and carried it out so many times that it's automatic for him. Coupled with the fact that he is selfless and cares about people makes him a true hero that is on deck at any moment. It was a true example to me that we can all create that in ourselves with anything. With repetition, a real desire to help and by setting the ego aside, we can all bring the hero in ourselves, out....whatever that means to you.

St. Patty's Day

What is St. Patrick's Day all about, anyway? Some people think that it's just another made up holiday that gives people an excuse to get together with friends and family and have fun and celebrate....works for me. For me, it's another family tradition, a time for us "mc's" and anyone else to get together and connect. It's another opportunity to share memories and build new ones. My sister Kathy has been hosting it every year since my mom has not been able to. I make Irish soda bread, my sister Donna makes scones, and my brother Kevin gets there early in the morning to be my sisters personal assistant...which is not an easy task. We have corned beef, cabbage and potatoes....no, it's not exactly transitions friendly. I remember my mom getting "tipsy" on her one glass of Irish cream and the huge pots, that could barely fit on the stove packed with corned beefs. We listen to Irish music and at the end of the night we toast with Baily's for my mom and others who are not here to celebrate with us anymore. I would say, take advantage of any opportunity to spend time with the people you love....even if it means being Irish for just one day!

Always inspired

I just got home from another amazing Transitions class. Tonight the class just took on a life of it's own. We had a specific topic for the night and it turned out that there was a different plan. The people in the class shared about how important it is to them to reach their goals and how they feel better than they ever have and want to keep it up. They spoke about the realization that this is a process and that they are accomplishing things that they never have before. We are in the sixth week and one person completely stopped smoking and another has already lost 30 pounds and says he can play with his kids in a way that he couldn't before. They were speaking beyond their health and their weight. They were talking about shifting their jobs and doing more in their lives. These are things we have heard before coaching Transitions, but it really never stops inspiring me. It is amazing how we are there to coach them and I personally get so much from it, every week. I feel so blessed that I have the opportunity to provide people with the tools and accountability to forever alter their lives...and it's actually a business!....I am always inspired and forever grateful!

Happy Birthday Uncle John

Today is my Uncle John's birthday. It is his first birthday that he is not with us, in body. He past away this past year form colon cancer. He was my mother's "little" brother. "Big John" was 6' 6" and his large stature was matched only by his enormous heart.....and there go the tears....didn't take long. That's because this man is an integral part of the man that I am today. He was and is the prime example to me of the kind of Husband, Father, Uncle, Brother and friend that I strive to be. He has left behind a legacy. My nephew, his great nephew just got a tattoo in his honor...what does that tell you? He served our country in Vietnam and spent a good part of his life caring for people for a living, working in a hospital. When my mom was left to raise an army of children alone.....Big John was there, when my sister needed somebody to drive with her to California....Big John was there, when I was at my lowest point and felt like I had no hope...Big John was there. When I think about it, whenever anyone needed anything....Big John was there! He told me once that he loved me so much that I could light his brand new car on fire and all he would do is roast marshmallows...oh, I forgot to mention that he was hilarious!....and you know what, he meant it...he would. He liked "things", but he knew they were just "things"....people, his friends, his family is what he lived for....what his soul still lives for. I have had some periods of sadness since he's been gone thinking that my children won't have the opportunity to experience him. But, they will...because he is a part of all of us...always. His humor, his love, his values, his wit....it lives in his family....in me. Today I choose not to be sad thinking of you because that would not honor who you are. Today, I smile and rejoice that I was blessed to have such a spectacular human being be such a huge part of my life. And, one day we will meet on the other side....have a Guinness and some burnt chocolate chip cookies waiting for me. You are my Uncle and my friend and in my heart always! Happy Birthday Uncle John!

Making it happen

This blog will be the shortest one in the history of my blogging...on purpose...why? because I just got back from a three hour event, where I learned what I already knew and needed to hear again. It's time to make it happen....really yes, it's not just about doing....but, even being requires action, shifting. We all owe it to ourselves to make "IT" happen...now! Because now is all there is! I don't need to develop this or learn that....Now is the time to stop talking and make it happen!

Getting organized

I read recently about a filing system to keep track of business contacts. So, we just went out and got the materials to do it. I have come to a realization recently. In the past, I would commit to some system or schedule and when I didn't follow it, I would beat myself up about how I'm not disciplined or organized and never stick to anything....guess how that worked out? So, what I realized is that their are so many different systems for being organized because it's not one-size fits all...yes, I just realized that :). I think it's important to make this stuff fun and not difficult work. Us humans like fun, not difficult work and we stick to what we like.

6 am

I took a train into the city this morning and arrived at Central park at 6 am. I met with 20 other people to honor a friend. It was amazing to see people show up at a park at 6am on a cold March morning to share what this man meant to them and what they remembered of him. As everyone went around to share, it really reminded me of the impact we can have on people. The other thing that occurred to me was that I never told this man the impact he had on me, the lessons I learned from him in the little time I spent with him. How much greater could we all be if we gave that away regularly, if we told people while they were here what they meant to us as if they may not be here tomorrow to tell. And, how great would they be, empowered with the knowledge that they really do make a difference. One more lesson I learned from Steve is to never assume that someone knows, that they get it. Steve and I didn't really have a close relationship. I think he would be surprised to know that I didn't think twice about going to Central Park at 6 am to honor him. This experience has motivated me to examine the importance of all the people in my life...and to let them know it....now!

The Answer

I'm listening to an audio book right now called "The Answer". Who among us doesn't want the answer? Basically, "the answer"is developing a winning attitude and a success mind- set. We all already know that, right? That's what my initial reaction was. Then it goes into some tools, like setting goals, affirmation, etc. I know about that stuff too. On the audio they also talk about auto-suggestion and programing your mind to attain what you want. That gets my attention. The truth is, if my mind was already programed to have all that I wanted to attain, I wouldn't be wanting to attain it, I would have it. I'm starting to catch on that most of us don't truly realize what it takes to achieve the extraordinary. We see the result and often we think "wow, what an amazing person that achieved that". What if it's not so much the person, but the mind-set that the person chose to develop. If that's true, guess what that would mean?...that any one of us is capable of achieving the extraordinary. And, not in some sort of "pie in the sky" way, that sounds nice to say....I mean, really. It takes work, but not the kind of work we think of. My choice moving forward is to continue to program my mind for what I want and not allow it to be programed for me. We ARE all capable of the extraordinary, we just have to achieve it in our minds first.

Making the Transition

This past weekend I was at a 3 day training for a re-certification as a Transitions Lifestyle coach. Over 400 people flew out to Orlando to learn how to coach adults and children how to live a healthy lifestyle. It was a real inspiration seeing so many people with the desire to make a difference. I really walked away with a renewed confidence in the state of health in our country. I am so grateful and blessed to have the opportunity and the tools to educate and empower people to make a shift in their health and in their lives. there was a time when I only dreamed of being able to have my own business, much less a business where I was actually making a difference in peoples lives. I'm excited to continue to arm people with the tools to change their lives and now I have the ability to empower children to make the shift before they become unhealthy adults.

Be where you are

I was reminded today of a dream I had once. I was traveling around the world and I suddenly found myself "lost". I began to panic, get upset...."I'm supposed to be someplace else" "how did I end up here?". Then, I realized that I was on a journey. It didn't really matter that I wasn't "where I was supposed to be". I decided to just be where I was. In that moment I heard a noise I didn't hear before ...a sort of crashing noise. I walked to follow the noise and came to a ledge. I looked out over the ledge and saw the most beautiful waterfall....I had seen pictures of it. I was overlooking Victoria Falls. We have all received a similar message many times before...and we get it...do we live it?...really? Do we want to be where we are "supposed to be" or where we are? That was the lesson I learned from this dream and it was a message I needed to receive. Then, yesterday Marie and I were talking about a possible trip to Africa and one of the places we would be visiting is Victoria Falls.....be where you are.

The Water Hyacinth

I have to admit, sometimes I do have moments when I wonder if the actions I take are leading me forward to my goals and causing me to grow. Anyone who can relate, here is a story that supports me in remembering that I can't always see the results of the growth that is taking place.

The water hyacinth is a beautiful, delicate-looking little plant. Prized as an ornament, it sports six-petaled flowers ranging from a lovely purplish blue, to lavender, to pink. you can find it floating on the surface of ponds in warm climates around the world.
The water hyacinth is also one of the most productive plants on earth; it's reproductive rate astonishes botanists and ecologists. Although a single plant can produce as many as 5,000 seeds, the method it prefers for colonizing a new area is to grow by doubling itself, sending out short runner stems that become "daughter plants".
If a pond's surface is fairly still and undisturbed, the water hyacinth may cover the entire pond in thirty days.
On the first day, you won't even notice it. In fact the first few weeks you will have to search very hard to find it. On day 15, it will cover perhaps a single square foot of the pond's surface.....a barely significant dollop of color dotting the expanse of placid green.
On the twentieth day (two-thirds of the way to the end f the month), you may happen to notice a dense little patch of floating foliage, about the size of a small mattress.
On day 29, one-half of the pond's surface will be open water.
On the thirtieth day, the entire pond will be covered by a blanket of water hyacinth.
You will not see any water at all.
-From "the Slight Edge"

"Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up." - Thomas Edison

Thank you

A few of my blogs lately have been about blogging.....and, yes you guessed it, this one is heading down that path as well. It has not been flowing for me lately like it was. I am learning about myself and human nature in my recent challenge, so I am grateful for it. Tonight I have decided to write a thank you blog. Whoever is reading this blog right now, I am writing this for you. I do not take it for granted that you are reading my blog. And, knowing that you are reading my blog, not only inspires me to continue writing, it inspires me to continue growing and making a difference on this planet. By supporting my blog, you are supporting me and I thank you. It reminds me of how important it is to encourage people, to acknowledge them, to appreciate them.....it's like fuel for the soul. When we support what people are up to in life and encourage them to move forward, we are doing our part to make this planet a better place. OK, I know, I know....you're thinking "It's just a blog dude, settle down"....I just wanted to take a moment to appreciate you appreciating me....thank you. Oh, and babe...special thanks to you, my biggest supporter always....I love you.....

Commitment

People have different views of what commitment means. I do believe that you can't be kinda, sorta committed. I am either committed or not, right? Take this blog, for instance. I have been at a training all day and I am tired and have to get up early again and I really feel like just going to bed....I know, "somebody call the whaaambulance". My point is, I have been writing this blog every day since January 1, no matter what. So, if I didn't write it this one time, does that mean I was committed to writing the blog and now I'm not? Yes, it means that tonight I am committed to going to sleep and not to writing my blog and tomorrow I can get committed to writing the blog again. Commitment is a choice in the moment, I think....lol. This is all really individual perspectives anyway...makes sense to me, though. So, why bother writing the blog than, if I am tired and can just recommit tomorrow? Because I made a long term commitment to blog every day for a year and I choose to be my commitment in this moment. That being said, I am now choosing to commit to sleeping. Sweet dreams ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

A cup of smiles to get me going

I flew into Orlando yesterday for a Transitions training. I'm staying with Marie's sister, her husband and three kids. This morning I woke up to the sound of little voices and giggles. I got up and walked out of my room and was greatet by a big smile and a loud "Uncle Stephen's up! "Then I got hugs and more smiles. I sat at the table and watched as they ate breakfast and, of course, made a little bit of a mess. Then, it was my mission to do whatever I could to get them to smile and laugh or hear little Samantha say "moooawah" (more) or Alex say "what awr yew duwing unwkle stewphen?" Who needs coffee? I know when this is your every morning routine, it may be a challenge at times to find the joy in it amidst the pounding headache....I do get that. I am a visitor and I am leaving in two days. Sometimes we have to remind ourselves to see the joy in what we have. This reminds me to see the joy in what I have and appreciate every moment of it.

Two sides

It's always been fascinating to me how two people can experience the exact same event and have completely different experiences. Not only do we experience the situation differently, but we also hear the explanation of the situation differently than the person is intending to express it. Did you follow that? You're not supposed to really, that's the point. Yet we argue about it, go back and forth, trying desperately to get our point across, to be heard. And, of course we are not being heard because guess what the other person wants?....to be heard! And their "a lot" is 2 and your "a lot" is 8 and, by the way, in the midst of it all, you happen to be wearing the same color shirt of the kid that beat them up in the third grade....you don't stand a chance of being heard. The thing I have been slow in realizing is this....if my side is my side, then I already know what it is, so why am I spending so much time talking about it. Why not listen to one I know nothing about....because I'm a stubborn human sometimes. So, there are two sides to every story and all the growth and learning is in the other one.

Writers block

This is my 62nd straight blog, beginning from January 1 and what I have decided to write about today is not knowing what to write about.....stay with me. I read an interview with a famous writer once and he said that writers block isn't that you have nothing to write, it's just that you don't like anything you write. When I began writing, I really didn't have anything to write about, so maybe that only applies to famous writers. That is a wake up call for me though. If, in a full 24 hour period, about 18 of those hours being awake, I have nothing new to write about, it's time to step it up...again. My commitment is to create a new story every day, to learn something every day, create a new adventure, have a new experience, make a new discovery. That's living after all, isn't it? And why would any of us just want to live some days and take off on others? So, no I'm not letting myself off the hook for having one day where I had nothing to write about because I deserve to have a big day every day, we all do. Hey wait, I guess I did learn something today.....make every day something to write about!

The 11th impression

A friend and a great man passed away yesterday. This was not a man who I would say made a great first impression. My guess would be that many people walked away from him after the first meeting thinking, "Who does he think he is?" or something to that affect. This was a man who called it like he saw it and didn't apologize for it. My first and probably tenth impression of him was not a great one. I am so grateful that I had an opportunity for the 11th impression. This was a man who cared more about people than what they thought of him. Was he always right? Was he always effective? Did his message always get through? Of course not. The thing is that he had the courage to voice his opinion and he was coming from love. I remember being in a meeting the first time I met him and thinking why doesn't this guy just back off and leave me alone? The answer, I would later find out was because he cared, even though he didn't know me. "You never know how far you can go, unless you are willing to go too far". Steve Stark was willing to go too far and in the process countless people took a deeper look at themselves and were better for it....including myself. The lesson this great man has left with me is to not be afraid to take in feedback from all sources and to trust that I may have something to offer to someone else and to not be afraid to say it. Thank you Steve.....you will be missed.

GPS

I am apparently a bit behind with the times. I have been driving around aimlessly using manual directions, watching for street signs and exit numbers and actually using a map when I get off course....what a caveman I have been! Well, a friend of ours left their GPS behind and we have been using it for the past few weeks. How have I survived? I put in the address where I'm going and I start driving along and a woman in a very sophisticated British accent says "in 2.3 miles, bear left, then exit left"I know some of you are laughing at me because you have had one of these things for years now, but I'm excited! then I find out that they need it back this week....what? No more sophisticated British accent direction lady? Are you kidding me? How will I get around? We need to go buy a GPS! To think that we once lived without cell phones and computers and Ipods....really! And one day we will be saying "remember when we had to actually manually drive our cars?" Human conditioning is amazing! Just last month I was getting around the old fashioned way.....googling an address and having an itemized printout within 60 seconds. Now I hear that I'm losing "my" GPS and it's like somebody poked my eyes out and gave me a lobotomy. I remember before I had a cell phone, I had about 30 phone numbers memorized in my head, now I had to use a memory technique to remember my wife's number. If we suddenly lost all modern technology , we would all be walking around like zombies...for a little while. Then, soon after, you know what would happen? We would figure out how to live without it. That's how amazing humans are. We only think that we are dependant on it. We can live without technology, we just choose not to, and I'm grateful that we do.